Once you cowl PC gaming {hardware} and peripherals for a residing, it is fairly simple to amass an unhealthy quantity of bizarre tech. It turns into simple to neglect what you have stashed away in your closet at any second, so you’ll be able to think about my shock after I unearthed one thing fairly wild throughout a current spring cleansing. The Panasonic SoundSlayer Wearable Immersive Gaming Speaker System, or SoundSlayer WIGSS for brief.
This wearable speaker, which seems like a kind of power-dampening doodads the unhealthy guys placed on the X-men to remove their powers, was launched in late 2021. I did not get my arms on a assessment pattern till later the next yr whereas I used to be on paternity depart. So, in fact, I by no means received round to protecting it and placing it away for safekeeping in my messy closet the way in which a squirrel hides away acorns for the winter.
The SoundSlayer is a wild fusion of a PC speaker and a gaming headset, however as a substitute of it sitting in your desk or your head, it lives round your neck. As you may see, it is an attention-grabbing however considerably flawed experiment of sound and design.
SoundSlayer WIGSS makes use of the ‘Majestic Augement Gaming Setting Sound System’ (or MAGESS) to ship encompass sound. Ridiculous acronym apart, it is a system comprised of 4 4-channel audio system that wrap round your neck. This implies you’re technically getting encompass sound as a result of the audio system encompass your head versus it being some fancy spatial audio tech like DTS or Home windows Sonic.
Panasonic SoundSlayer WIGSS specs
I am going to admit, as soon as I received over how foolish I appeared, and received previous the primary few hours of getting sound blasted at my head from beneath my neck, there was one thing oddly satisfying about sporting the SoundSlayer all through the course of the day. Nonetheless, after just some hours, I plopped the SoundSlayer down on the desk as a result of I received bored with sporting sound all day and used it as a desktop speaker. Which kinda defeats the aim.
After I did put on it, I performed a number of Resident Evil 4 Remake, and it made the sport loads scary with all of the ambient moans and groans. They actually do really feel like they’re coming from behind, like one thing is whispering horrible sweet-nothings into my ears. Horror and journey video games are a greater use case of the SoundSlayer’s encompass sound, actually hammering within the immersion.
I did discover that the SoundSlayer tends to lack some oomph when the motion will get when in comparison with a set of excellent desk-mounted PC audio system or premium headsets. That is largely as a result of the amount on the SoundSlayer does not get that prime, which turns into noticeable on a video name or watching YouTube movies. I am assuming that is most certainly a security function since having the sounds of explosions going that near your head at full quantity can’t be good for you. When you’re in search of that thumping bass, it ain’t right here. Dialogue in films and video games is just too tinny and distant for my liking. It sounds just like the characters are shouting from the underside of a effectively and infrequently get buried as soon as the motion picks up.
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Purchase if…
✅ You want an alternative choice to sporting headphones: When you put on glasses or simply work at a desk all day, sporting headphones for hours on finish may very well be very uncomfortable.
✅ You are in search of actual encompass sound: Its 4 audio system wrap round your neck offering precise encompass sound as a substitute of utilizing software program design to emulate spatial audio
Do not buy if…
❌ You already personal pair of desktop audio system: For $150-$200 (or waaay cheaper), you may get your self a feature-rich pair of audio system (opens in new tab) or a pleasant soundbar that is rather less problem that sounds unbelievable. You additionally do not must put on them.
❌ You are in search of a tether-free sound collar: It is nonetheless a bit stunning that the SoundSlayer does not supply a wi-fi collar when you should buy a Bluetooth choice from completely different producers for lower than $100.
Very similar to the SoundSlayer soundbar, you might have a few presets you’ll be able to cycle by, like RPG, First-person shooter, music, and chat. It is received a serviceable built-in microphone you need to use for group chat, too. I even used the Slayer on our each day name, and my colleagues stated they might hear me fairly clearly. Although I actually could not make them out as a result of they had been relentlessly teasing me over how ridiculous I appeared with it on.
One other disappointing factor concerning the Sound Slayer is that it’s not wi-fi. For $200, I count on to grow to be an obnoxious human speaker and put on this factor throughout a exercise and even be capable of tempo round my home whereas on a Discord name. As a substitute, you might have a 3.5ft USB cable that retains you tethered to your PC. It is not like Bluetooth sound collars do not exist both: Monster makes one for $100 (opens in new tab) that is barely smaller than the SoundSlayer and appears simply as foolish.
Who’s this factor truly for? Actually, I am nonetheless attempting to determine that out. From an ergonomic standpoint, I see the argument that that is manner comfier to put on than a good headset all through the course of the day, particularly if you’re working from residence. And from an accessibility standpoint, there’s a number of potential available. However in any other case, this appears like a really area of interest answer to an issue that does not exist.
I get the purpose that Panasonic is attempting to make; the one drawback is that the Sound Slayer overlooks one thing essential, which is just about why most individuals desire a headset over audio system: Noise. You are not in a personal sound bubble like you’re when sporting a headset. You would possibly share an area with roommates, coworkers, or a accomplice who won’t respect the sound of gunfire, dying gargles, and aggressive voice comms from a Name of Obligation match blasting out of your neck.
The Panasonic SoundSlayer will value you $200 (opens in new tab). There’s additionally a Last Fantasy 14-themed SoundSlayer with the sport’s emblem and unique sound mode for $250 (opens in new tab). Each fashions are sometimes on sale at a hefty low cost, which remains to be too costly to advocate over one of the best gaming headsets that are each actually comfortable and sound superior.
That stated, I’m glad that is an ergonomic different to sporting headphones all day. The one drawback is that an alternate already exists. Audio system.